Midweek Message from the Archive
Chosen and Forgiven
The word chosen, also translated elected, is a common reference in Scripture. It’s that wonderful, Judeo-Christian doctrine that reassures us that we were hand-picked to be children of God. However, we can never forget that alongside the privilege of being chosen are all the responsibilities that go with it. We don’t seem to have trouble remembering the benefits but sometimes forget that God has purpose behind His decision of election.
Some people have trouble understanding this ancient teaching which goes all the way back to Adam and they focus on those who are not chosen. We don’t have the answers to those questions simply because scripture doesn’t comment on them. Let’s focus on your standing with God, your gratefulness that He chose you, and how you should respond to Him in appreciation? Why not spend your time studying what you do know from scripture rather than on what you can’t explain?
How should you respond to a Sovereign God Who created the universe in His supreme authority yet while He was working was thinking about you? Did you know that He thinks about you?
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority— (Psalm 8:3-6 NLT)
As I mentioned earlier, there are responsibilities alongside the benefits of being chosen. We are called to live the higher life in Christ.
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:12, 13 NLT)
Living for God is one way to respond to God in your ‘chosenness’, emulating those qualities that look like Jesus. He lived a life that was worthy of imitating: He was the ultimate Forgiver.
Jesus was chosen by God for a purpose:
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38 ESV)
We were also chosen by God for a purpose or a destiny. As we walk through Eph. 1:3-14 let’s keep in the forefront of our thinking those wonderful, rich words of promise. Chosen and forgiven. Let’s rejoice together that He was thinking about us when He created the world and there is purpose to our lives in Christ.
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